We are down to less than five hours before the month of frenzied writing better known as NaNoWriMo begins. I said I was going to do it this year. Just do it. Right.
I just finished a 31 Day Challenge on my blog so writing a novel in 30 Days for the month of November is like jumping from the frying pan into the fire. You have to question my sanity.
You may be asking why. You would not be alone. I am asking myself that question hourly. I don’t have a concrete answer. I may have at the end of the 30 days if I make it that far.
Stay tuned.
In other news this will be my 50th post on this blog. Yea Me! Most people would wait until 100 to mention it, but I’m rather proud of 50, so thought it deserved a mention. I thought my 50th post would be something really profound and eye opening, but I guess not. Just goes to show that you can’t be too sure.
And finally, a picture for those who need the visual because they don’t like words by themselves. You can make up your own story about the picture. Deal?
I had a creative writing class in high school that I absolutely loved. That was probably when I first realized on a conscious level that I had a way with words. That was the stirring of wanting to be a writer. It just took me awhile to think of myself as a writer.
One of my favorite writing assignments was using a picture for inspiration. We would choose a picture, then write a story to fit the picture. I chose a picture of an old man that was on the back of a Readers Digest magazine. The picture and story are long gone, perhaps hidden in storage somewhere. I used to have a file of schoolwork at my parents, but haven’t seen it in years.
For several years Mr. Piano and I went to the mountains of Tennessee for retreat. I could look at the beauty around me and be inspired by the “Pictures” of nature that were all around me. A few years ago I was inspired to write My October based on the sights from the front porch of our cabin,it was posted last year on this blog. Autumn Road, another post from last year was inspired by a picture I took while on retreat.
When I see beautiful art or photographs, it can inspire words. For me, the opposite is also true,the written word conjures up images. As I read I can see the scenes in my mind’s eye. Either way the words and images are linked together. I have always wished that I could paint beautiful scenes, but then I remind myself that when the written word stirs my soul, that too is art.
One of the best compliments I ever received about my writing, was when I had written a letter to our church about the new sanctuary. I had gone with the theme of New House Smell and had written about all the changes. A lady from the congregation came up to me the following Sunday and said, “I loved your letter – I could smell the paint!” It was a letter, not a prize-winning novel, but I made her connect with her senses as she read and that is what the writing is about. Making a connection. Painting a mental picture that makes the words come alive.
What picture is inspiring you to write a thousand words today. Or maybe 14?
Sunlight dances in tree tops splashing across Autumn skies, covering my soul with peace.
Teresa L Hardymon 